(Lyon County, IA) – A collision Sunday afternoon southeast of Rock Rapids, in northwest Iowa, claimed the life of a passenger in one of the vehicles. The Iowa State Patrol report a Buick SUV driven by 19-year-old Tristan Smith, of Rock Rapids, was traveling north on Lyon County road K52. An open top Jeep Wrangler driven by 69-year-old Steven Ludwig, of Sibley, was traveling east on Lyon County road A34. When the Buick SUV failed to stop at the posted intersection, it collided with the Jeep in the middle of the intersection. The accident happened at around 3:55 p.m.
Both vehicles entered the northeast ditch. Steven Ludwig, and a passenger in the Jeep, 73-year-old Joleene Klaassen, of Sibley, were ejected. Joleene Klaasen – who was wearing a seat belt – died at the scene. Steven Ludwig – who was not wearing a seat belt – was injured, and flown by helicopter to the Sanford Sioux Falls Hospital.
